(W&V) - In 2011, Wines Vines Analytics began tracking what was then the relatively new trend of third-party websites selling wine at deeply discounted prices for a short amount of time.

Many of the wines being sold for between 30% and 50% off retail were well-known brands that were a hit with consumers on the hunt for bargains.

Flash sites also proved a popular dumping ground for wineries and distributors stuck with held-over inventory from the recession that began in 2008. When Wines Vines Analytics, which compiles data for the regular Wine Industry Metrics reports, began tracking offers by the websites, the number of flash offers was growing by double digits every month.